Hamalki

Species Information
Hamalki
Quadrant:	Beta Quadrant
Star System:	Alpha Arietis, Hamal
Planet:	Hamal IV
Species Type:	Arachnoid
Discovered By:
Leader(s):
Contact:
Affiliation:	UFP

A Federation Member species native to the fourth planet in the Alpha Arietis system.

The Hamalki civilisation is most famous for their intense curiosity, their extraordinary design skills, and their "creative physics" which has been known to spark some of the most heated (and turbulent) dicussions on record at the Vulcan Science Academy.

Physiology

By some humanoids described as the "result of a collision between a chandelier and a large glass spider", the Hamalki are classified as an arachnoid silicon-based life form.

The average Hamalki stands between 1 to 1.3 meters tall and has twelve legs, arranged evenly around a rounded central body. The top of the body is furred with spines of clear glass almost too fine to see, and has a raised ridge of nubby crystal running back to front amidst the "fur"; with four eyes in the middle of the ridge, and two clusters of four eyes each near each end of the ridge. The body is mostly transparent, and polished to mirror smoothness.

The species communicates through chiming sounds which most humanoids find musical; due to its highly mathematical properties standard Hamalki is easily rendered through a universal translator (though certain nuances of course are not always possible to be accurately translated into other languages).

Being silicon-based, Hamalki are immune to the effects of alcohol, but can get 'drunk' from polycarbons such as graphite.

Hamalki are able to reproduce themselves by transfering their memories into a new hatchling before death, allowing them extraordinary lifespans. This process is called "H't'r'tk'tv'mtk", and is not something a Hamalki would do just anyplace. It requires not only a secure environment, but but a certain amount of intellectual and emotional engagement with the owner of said place. And shelves.

There are noted tales of unplanned 're-embodiments' of Hamalki scientists over controversial issues such as the equivalence heresy.

"Regular" Hamalki reproduction in pre-sentient times was a haphazard business - a given male fertilizing as many females as possible before being devoured by one of them in the nuptial act. As sentience set in, the Hamalki began to notice that the hatchlings of those females who ate their mates prospered, growing faster and stronger and more intelligent than others. Modern Hamalki have discovered that this is due to hormones and enzymes produced by the male during mating, which cause the female's analogue to DNA to split and recombine with the male's in new and more effective ways.

Courtship has thus evolved into a joint weaving; physical, intellectual, vocal and emotional, as the two participants consciously and unconsciously decide what genes to share, what memories to perpetuate. A mating pair will sing visions and trade desires while weaving the nest that represents their union - the 'written' confirmation and completion of their relationship. At the apex of the 'weaving', when the enzymes are in full flow, the male will initiate his own death by biting the female and causing her (in her own throes) to blindly attack, kill and devour him.

It has been suggested that the enzyme in question could be synthesized (causing a few holy wars in the process), however the vast majority of Hamalki believe it would negate the point of transmitting one's 'spirit' to the offspring.

Culture and Society

Hamalki are generally open minded, cheerful beings with a great sense of humor. While their view of the universe (and their enthusiastic dabbling with the intrinsic laws of same) has caused much confusion and migraines among other species, it is safe to say they are among the major contributors to Federation science.

A somewhat lesser known attribute of Hamalki culture is that they have a deeply romantic streak, and though their views on romantic love are decidedly strange to some, they are fully capable of appreciating other cultures' ideas concerning the subject; and in fact quite inquisitive about it.

"Building is love for us - literally. Every edifice is a reflection of the one we we will build out of love, or have built already. And besides - the price of our lives, and loves, is death. The payment's dear. Love and life and the vision that grows out of them both have become precious to us - not just ours, everybody else's, too. So we serve these others, we serve you, building and making. Doing that, seeing your desires achieved without your dying, we conquer death a little. And being the answer to others' questions is sweet..."

Religion

Hamalki sprituality is at once straightforward and complex, and they have no known taboos in the areas of discussing death, taxes, sex or religion. The reason for most other species knowing little more than that Hamalki believe in a Great Architectrix is likely due to the oft confusing way the species interweaves science and spirituality, making it difficult to see the difference (if indeed the Hamalki consider there being one).

One slightly better understood part of Hamalki spiritual life is their belief that the universe was 'built/sung' into existence, and by extension their weaving song and emotion into structures is at once a practical and a spiritual undertaking.

A common half-jest among Hamalki is that the Terran composer Bach might have been one of theirs who took a very wrong turn and got born on Earth by accident.